As the latest European Championships finished in the most dramatic way possible with Italy
beating England at Wembley on penalties to claim their first title since 1968, we have taken a
look back at some of the best but perhaps lesser known matches from previous tournaments.
France 4-5 Yugoslavia, Euro 1960 semi-final
Due to the shortened nature of the inaugural tournament with only four teams participating in the final tournament, then known as the European Nations Cup, this game was consequently the opening match and the semi-final.
Milan Galic struck early for Yugoslavia but within a minute Jean Vincent levelled for France and Albert Batteux’s men took a half-time lead when Francois Huette struck.
Their lead was extended through Maryan Wisnieski before the topsy-turvy match took another turn as Ante Zanetic pulled one back for Yugoslavia within minutes.
Shortly after the hour Huette grabbed his second to make it 4-2 to France and they led with 15 minutes remaining before Yugoslavia showed their attacking prowess in a devastating five-minute spell.
First Tomislav Knez gave them hope and two goals in a minute from Dražan Jerković, tapping home from close range and then firing home a rebound to give Yugoslavia a remarkable win in what remains the highest scoring match in the competition’s history.
Yugoslavia 3-4 Spain, Euro 2000 group stage
The final game in group C for Yugoslavia and Spain was massive for both sides as they knew three points would secure their place in the knockout round.
Despite Jose Antonio Camacho’s side having won their previous match against Slovenia, it looked as though they would rue their opening defeat to Norway while Yugoslavia had recovered from 3-0 down to grab an unlikely point against Slovenia and had seen off Norway.
Knowing a win would see them top the group, Yugoslavia opened the scoring through Savo Milosevic, only for Alfonso to equalise shortly before half-time. A frantic start after the break saw Dejan Govedarica fire past Santiago Cañizares from the edge of the box only for Spain to restore parity immediately through Pedro Munitis.
The momentum then swung Spain’s way after Slavisa Jokanovic was sent off for a second yellow card just after the hour but with 15 minutes left Slobodan Komljenović gave Yugoslavia the lead for the third time.
It seemed as though Spain were heading out, needing two goals as the clock ticked into the fourth minute of added time but captain Aberlado was pulled down in the area and Gaizka Mendieta slammed home the penalty to give Camacho’s men hope.
Having to propel incessant Spanish pressure with a man fewer, Yugoslavia’s only hope was that the clock would come to their rescue but in the 95th minute Perez lashed home a knockdown to complete a scarcely believable comeback.
Spain were jubilant, having topped the group in the most unlikely circumstances and Yugoslavia joined them when news of Norway drawing with Slovenia meant they progressed ahead of the Scandinavians due to a superior head-to-head record.
France 2-1 Italy, Euro 2000 final
France had been crowned world champions on home soil two years earlier and were looking to become the first country to hold both major honours at the same time.
Both sides had faced tough semi-finals, France edging past Portugal thanks to Zinedine Zidane’s golden goal winner while Italy beat the Netherlands on penalties.
In a close opening period, France came closest when Youri Djorkaeff was denied by the impressive Francesco Toldo, Italy’s shootout hero from the semi-final.
However, Dino Zoff’s side took the lead on 55 minutes when Gianluca Pessotto’s cross was converted by Marco Delvecchio.
Toldo was in inspired form as he saved from Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord but the latter finally found a way past the Fiorentina stopper as he dramatically fired home in injury-time.
The momentum was all with Didier Deschamps side and it was no surprise when David Trezeguet lashed home from a Robert Pires cross after 104 minutes to seal another Golden Goal Les Bleus win and a historic triumph.
Portugal 2-2 England (Portugal win on pens), Euro 2004 quarter-final
England’s so-called Golden Generation had eased through their group with future all-time record scorer Wayne Rooney netted four times in wins over Switzerland and Croatia while hosts Portugal bounced back a shock defeat to Greece (not their last) to top their group.
Rooney’s strike partner-in-crime was Liverpool striker Micael Owen and he gave Sven Goran-Eriksson’s men an early lead but England’s threat disappeared when Rooney departed injured after just half an hour.
The hosts seized the initiative but only levelled with eight minutes left through Helder Postiga and were relieved to see Sol Campbell’s injury-time header harshly ruled out for push.
Let off the hook, Portugal hit the front for the first time in extra-time as Rui Costa smashed in from close range but Frank Lampard took the game to penalties when he struck late on.
England’s lack of shootout success was well-known and they got off to the worst possible start as David Beckham fired over, and although Costa missed, Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo saved from Darius Vassell before coolly converting himself, to seal a semi-final berth.
